Uses of didemnins as immunomodulating agents

Abstract

The present invention is based upon the immunomodulatory activity of synthetic and semi-synthetic didemnin compounds. It has surprisingly been discovered that certain didemnin compounds possess unexpectedly high immunomodulation activity, and thus will be useful for modulating or regulating immunological functions in warm blooded animals. From the data provided herein it is believed that the physician will be able to determine the appropriate dosage of the immunosuppressant didemnins of the present invention. The actual dosage to be administered depends, inter alia, on the animal species to be treated, the subject animal's size, and the capacity of the subject to utilize the particular didemnin compound administered. Accordingly, the actual amounts of any didemnin compound required to be administered depend on the judgment of the practitioner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of suppressing an immune system in a subject in need thereof, which comprises the administration to the subject an immune system suppressing amount of an immunosuppressant didemnin compound selected from the group consisting of: Didemnin M, O-pGlu-Didemnin B, Didemnin E and mixtures thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, in which the immune system disorder is selected from the group consisting of soft tissue destruction due to burn, myocardial infarct induced trauma, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and myocardial ischemia and re-perfusion; specific and non-specific proteolytic processing of C5; inflammation associated with kidney stones, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephrotoxic glomeronephritis, and multiple sclerosis; atrophic gastritis, thyroiditis, allergic encephalomyelitis, gastric mucosa, thyrotoxicosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, pemphigus vulgaris, sympathetic ophthalmia, delayed-type hypersensitivity, autoimmune disorders and drug allergies; and tissue plasminogen activator therapy and cardiopulmonary bypass. 
     
     
       3. A method for treating a mammal in need of immunosuppression, comprising systemically administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressant didemnin compound selected from the group consisting of Didemnin M, O-pGlu-Didemnin B, Didemnin E and mixtures thereof, in a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier. 
     
     
       4. A method of promoting immunosuppression in a mammal, comprising systemically administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressant didemnin compound selected from the group consisting of Didemnin M, O-pGlu-Didemnin B, Didemnin E and mixtures thereof, in a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier.